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Survey of current cementing techniques in total knee replacement
Michael John Lutz1, Brett Richard Halliday
1Royal Brisbane Hospital, Herston Road, Herston, Queensland, Australia.
Background:
Current techniques in total knee replacement (TKR) vary greatly. Cementing techniques in TKR are no exception. Identification of current trends would aid ongoing research into future developments.
Methods:
A questionnaire was sent to all orthopaedic surgeons in Queensland, Australia. A range of factors influencing cementing techniques for the tibial plateau were investigated.
Results:
Eighty-five percent of questionnaires were returned. Ninety-one percent of surgeons regularly cement the tibial plateau, 90% use some form of lavage prior to cement application, 95% of surgeons apply cement by hand only. Techniques aimed at increasing cement penetration (cement gun, intraosseous suction) are used infrequently.
Conclusions:
In contrast to total hip replacement, measures are not often taken to ensure that there is penetration of cement or a complete cement mantle into the tibial plateau in TKR. This may be because of a perceived lack of evidence in modern literature. This study also illustrates the wide variation in technique in a relatively common orthopaedic operation.